OTAKI STATE SCHOOL.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 3 November 1920, Page 3

OTAKI STATE SCHOOL.

COMMITTEE MEETING. A meeting of the committee of the Otaki State School was held on Monday* night. Present: Messrs J. R. Bills (chairman), Mrs Bills, Rev. Petrie, Messrs A. W. Watts, H. Nicolsou, and the headmaster (Mr W. Burns Smith). The headmaster reported that in September the roll number was satisfactory, but that the attendance was affected by mumps and measles. School -Nurse Bulkley had visited the school and examined the children as to their eyesight, and it was now expected that the medical officer would shortly he here to further examine them. A later report stated that this officer (Dr. Paterson) had examined the children. The headmaster also tabled a report of more recent date (November Ist), stating the attendance was adversely affected by cases of illness —chiefly measles and mumps. Last week was one of the worst ever experienced at the school, the attendance being little more than a half-average for the whole week. The weather, persistently wet, was chiefly responsible. Mr Bakewell, chief inspector, had inspected the school on the 18th and 22nd October, but bis report was not yet to hand. The school had received a donation of £2 19s 5d from tho now defunct gymnasium club. It was decided to devote tho money to the school library, as the amount would be subsidised by the Education Board. A vote of thanks was accorded the members of the club for their generosity*.

The Rev. Petrie reported that lie and Air Noble had visited the school during the month and found various small matters needed attention. It was agreed to leave these to Air Watts to attend to. After a little discussion it was decided to hold a euchre tournament in the Druids’ Hall on Wednesday week (10th) to raise funds for the purchase of cricketing material for the boys, while the Chairman and Secretary were deputed to wait on Air AloAlillan and arrange for a picture entertainment, promised for the children 's benefit. It was decided to give the children a holiday on the 19th inst. (the date of the Otaki flower show), on the understanding that they took more interest in the show than in the past. If they failed to exhibit it was agreed that in future the holiday be struck out. It was reported that the school would “break up” for holidays on December 16th.